Formative Years

Correct designation of chaplains

The Garland Collection

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Correct designation of chaplains
ABOVE: Wearing the rank insignia and chaplaincy uniform of a Lieutenant-Colonel, Canon Garland was a honorary “Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class”. In this image, Canon Garland (front right) poses beside a military Chaplain drawn from the ranks of the Salvation Army. Note the difference in denominational insignia. Standing in front of the almost life-sized photograph backdrop of the recently-concluded “Distant Lines” public exhibition display hosted by the State Library of Queensland, is Mr Con Drovdovskii of CGMS, and Robyn Hamilton of the State Library of Queensland.


DESIGNATION OF CHAPLAINS.

The following is an extract from General Orders 417, of 1st August, 1917:-“It has been observed that errors are constantly made in setting out the designation of Chaplains in official lists and correspondence, and these errors are frequently reproduced in the Press. “The public are thus misguided, and the Department [ of Defence ] is open to criticism on account of such inaccuracies. “It is therefore repeated, for the information of all concerned, that it is not the custom of the Service to address or refer to Chaplains by Military ranks, and the practice must be discontinued. “Chaplains are classified as under, in order of ascending seniority:

  • ‘Chaplain to the Forces, 4th Class’;
  • ‘Chaplain to the Forces, 3rd Class’;
  • ‘Chaplain to the Forces, 2nd Class’;
  • ‘Chaplain to the Forces, 1st Class’.

“The correct designation for a Chaplain is therefore:-

  • ‘The Reverend A. B. ________, Chaplain to the Forces, ________ Class’, etc.

“He would be addressed verbally and referred to in conversation as ‘Mr _________’.

“Terms such as ‘Captain’, ‘Chaplain-Captain’, etc., are incorrect when used in reference to a Chaplain.

“Chaplains do not possess Military ranks, and are merely graded as Captains, Majors, Lieut.-Colonels [ Lieutenant-Colonel ], and Colonels for the purposes of pay, etc., and they wear rank badges only as an indication of their rating.”

– from page 3 of “The Church Chronicle” monthly journal (Church England, Diocese of Brisbane) of 1 January 1918.

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